VHS tape played, then no video signal when rewinded. Please help...

[guitarbrad]

I have an old tape of my rock band from the 80s. I really want to dub it or
even transfer it to DVD. It PLAYED near the end of the tape when I first
tried it, but after rewinding it no video plays. Even tho it moves thru the
VCR the counter doesn't increase (it stays at 00:00:00). The tape is
advancing tho. Is there anything I can do? I heard everything from put it in
the freezer to wipe the tape with alcohol, but I think my problem is
different.

I felt the tape inside the case. It doesn't feel sticky at all on the
outside (facing the opening), very slightly inside (I think). I'll try REW &
FF a few times, again, but I don't think that'll work. I know tapes degrade
over time, that's why I decided to do this. Does anyone know of anything I
can try? Any other newsgroup or web site I can ask? It only played near the
end, but I'd REALLY like to see/dub the whole thing. It's important to me.
Brad

[Harriet Bazley]

On 1 Jul 2008 as I do recall,

Post by guitarbrad
I have an old tape of my rock band from the 80s. I really want to dub it or
even transfer it to DVD. It PLAYED near the end of the tape when I first
tried it, but after rewinding it no video plays. Even tho it moves thru the
VCR the counter doesn't increase (it stays at 00:00:00). The tape is
advancing tho. Is there anything I can do? I heard everything from put it in
the freezer to wipe the tape with alcohol, but I think my problem is
different.

I've had the experience that the counter doesn't advance when the tape
is completely blank - on our machine you can wind on a tape as far as
you like past the end of the recording, but the counter won't move
(something to do with adjusting the time displayed according to whether
it was recorded at standard or LP speed, I think).

I suppose it's possible that your tape is failing to register as present
at all for some reason....

[Deke]

Post by guitarbrad
I have an old tape of my rock band from the 80s. I really want to dub it or
even transfer it to DVD. It PLAYED near the end of the tape when I first
tried it, but after rewinding it no video plays. Even tho it moves thru the
VCR the counter doesn't increase (it stays at 00:00:00). The tape is
advancing tho. Is there anything I can do? I heard everything from put it in
the freezer to wipe the tape with alcohol, but I think my problem is
different.
I felt the tape inside the case. It doesn't feel sticky at all on the
outside (facing the opening), very slightly inside (I think). I'll try REW &
FF a few times, again, but I don't think that'll work. I know tapes degrade
over time, that's why I decided to do this. Does anyone know of anything I
can try? Any other newsgroup or web site I can ask? It only played near the
end, but I'd REALLY like to see/dub the whole thing. It's important to me.
Brad
Perhaps the tape got twisted 180 degrees when you went from play to rewind.

Open the flap and look at the tape. If its shiny, the tape is twisted, if
its dull, the tape is ok, look for another problem. You might want to do a
comparison first on a junk tape, so you know what to look for.
A twisted tape can be repaired, but it takes time to find the twist.

Deke